Old Brick Capitol facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Old Brick Capitol
Part of American Civil War prison camps
The former Old Brick Capitol building serving as a prison during the American Civil War, 1861-1865
Type	United States Capitol (1815–1819) Union Prison Camp (1861–1865)
Site information
Owner	U.S. federal government
Controlled by	Union Army
Open to the public	No
Site history
Built	1815
In use	1815–1819 1861–1867
Materials	brick
Demolished	1929
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Garrison information
Occupants	Union soldiers, Confederate prisoners of war, political prisoners, spies, Union officers convicted of insubordination

The Old Brick Capitol was a very important building in Washington, D.C.. For a short time, it served as the temporary U.S. Capitol building. This was from 1815 to 1819.

Later, the building had many uses. It was a private school and a place where people could rent rooms. During the American Civil War, it became a prison. It was known as the Old Capitol Prison. The building was taken down in 1929. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court building stands in its place.

Where Was the Old Brick Capitol Located?

The Old Brick Capitol was on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. This area was once called Jenkins Hill. The land was bought from the Carroll family. It was chosen to build the U.S. Capitol.

The building was located at 1st and A streets NE. This is on the eastern side of Capitol Hill. The first building on this spot was a red brick hotel. It was called Stelle's Hotel. It was built around 1800. Many hotels in this area served members of the U.S. Congress.

A Temporary Home for Congress (1815–1819)

In August 1814, a big event happened during the War of 1812. The British army burned the main United States Capitol building. This left the Congress without a place to meet.

So, they decided to build a temporary Capitol. They tore down Stelle's Hotel. A new brick building was quickly built. Its cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1815. Congress met in this new building from December 8, 1815, until 1819. This was while the original U.S. Capitol was being fixed. The first inauguration of President James Monroe even happened here on March 4, 1817.

Did you know that local real estate investors paid for this building? They heard rumors that Congress might move the capital city. They wanted to keep the government in Washington. This would protect the value of their land.

The Old Brick Capitol Changes Uses (1819–1861)

The building got its name "Old Brick Capitol" in 1819. This was when Congress and the Supreme Court moved back to the repaired U.S. Capitol.

After that, the building was used for different things. It became a private school. Then, it was a boarding house. A famous person, John C. Calhoun, died there in 1850. He was a Senator from South Carolina and a former Vice President of the United States. He had been a leader in Congress when they met in the Old Brick Capitol.

The Old Capitol Prison (1861–1867)

When the Civil War began in 1861, the government bought the building again. This time, it was used as a prison. It held captured Confederate soldiers. It also held political prisoners and spies. Even Union officers who were found guilty of not following orders were kept there.

Some famous people were held in this prison. These included Rose Greenhow, Belle Boyd, and John Mosby. Henry Wirz, a Confederate officer, was even executed in the prison yard.

Many people arrested after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln were also held here. This included Dr. Samuel Mudd and Mary Surratt. John T. Ford, who owned Ford's Theater where Lincoln was shot, was also a prisoner. The houses next to the prison, called Duff Green's Row, were also used as part of the prison.

What Happened After the War?

After the Civil War, the government sold the Old Capitol Prison in 1867. A man named George T. Brown bought it. He was the sergeant-at-arms for the U.S. Senate. He changed the building into three rowhouses. They were known as "Trumbull's Row."

In the 1900s, these houses became the main office for the National Woman's Party. In 1929, the government bought the land again. The old brick building was torn down. This cleared the way for the new U.S. Supreme Court Building.

Images for kids

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  The former Old Brick Capitol building serving as a prison during the American Civil War, 1861-1865